cattleya pigmentation question
 

Hello esteemed orchid board members,

I suspect that this cattleya is virused because the petal splashes have been variable and asymmetrical lately.
What do you guys think? Is this color break or natural variation?

I am a bit strapped for cash and don't want to buy test strips, so I am basing my discard decisions on your judgment btw.

Thanks,

I have one that looks about the same, called Otaara Island Flare. Smells beautifully and mine bloomed last month. Maybe I don't see the discolorations because I'm on my iPhone and the thumbnails are quite small 🤣

Not knowing what the flowers have looked like in the past it's hard to say much about the color breaks. However, the flowers and plant appear healthy in your photos. If you're really concerned, isolate the plant from your others. It's absolutely NOT time to toss it.

I don't see anything I would automatically attribute to virus. Do isolate it if you can. Doesn't hurt to be cautious.

What is the cross and cultivar, do you know?

It looks normal to me, no virus. There is no way to tell without doing an actual test.

The cross is Lc. Mari's Song x Lc Hsinying Excell.

I would isolate it but after hearing your opinions I'm not sure if I want to. I will be extra careful with my cutting tools though. Biting insects are also a concern, but there isn't anything I can do about that.

---------- Post added at 02:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:10 AM ----------

So with splash petal catt's they can have some variation with the splashing? That is a relief. This is my favorite plant. It smells beautiful and is a treat for the eyes; minus the petal variations of course.

Yeah. I really don't want to buy test strips at the moment. so I suppose I will live with the uncertainty until I can get more cash.

---------- Post added at 02:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:13 AM ----------

Just curious, did everyone look at the thumbnails in the larger view? The first photo from the left is the worst one. It has white veining on both petals that are kind of suspicious to me.

I am assuming you guys did.... I got 4 votes for keep it so it is looking like the plant will be retained.

Perhaps I am being too neurotic about this one???

I don't see anything that hints at virus.

Flowers can vary a lot due to environmental reasons. I have plants that are so varable between blooms that they don't even look like the same fliwer.

looks fine to me....I had one a while back and it did the same thing....and with splash petal plants they always do funny things.....its fine.

I always look at the big picture.

Splash-petal flowers almost always have colors streaking into each other like that. Usually it will be streaks of color at the centers of petals and sepals. Look up some images online. Viral streaking looks irregular and is seldom pretty. I would not bother testing this plant. It demonstrates no signs of viral infection.

I emailed Fred Clarke and he is in agreement with you guys. He said that I am confusing color break with color flares. He also said that the lc hsinying excell passes this trait to the offspring.

Thank you everyone! This is such a relief because I adore this plant. It is also nice to have learned something new.